Hydrocarbon burner



Jan. 5, .1.932. R R WATERMAN 1,839,512

HYDROCARBON BURNER Filed NOV. l2, 1928 Hill ,irma/Ey Patented Jan. 5, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENToFFlcE R'USSELL R. WAT'.ERMAN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO HYDRoeARBoN BURNER Application led November 12, 1928. Serial No. 318,746.

My present invention relates to hydrocarbon burners, and more particularly to such burners for burning low grade'fuel oils. d

, The objects of this invention are: first, to

5 provide a very efficient, economical and compact burner of-this class; second, to provide a burner of this class by which may be obtained any desired flame temperature, and combustion with high and the required carbon dioxide content; third, to provide a burner of this class requiring extremely low air pressure for efficient and economical combustion of the fuel and for obtaining a flame of high temperature; fourth, to provide a novel arrangement of elements for initially atomizing and vaporizing the fuel oil and for carrying away immediately the disassociated elements of the fuel; fifth, to provide a novel eicient fuel oil feed whereby the clogging of the fuel oil line is reduced to a minimum; sixth, to provide a novel and unitary means for feeding of ail; to the fuel nozzle, withdrawing fuel gases from the gasifying chamber, and for distributing fuel gases to the vaporizing and main burners; seventh, to provide a burner in which only the proper amount of air is mixed with the fuel oil; eighth, to provide a novel arrangement of elements for igniting the main burner; and,- ninth, to provide as a whole a novel burner and one which is simple and economical to make and to operate.

With these and other objects in=view, as will appear hereinafter, my invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, as will be hereinafter described in detail and more particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings and to the characters of reference thereon which form' 'a part of this application in which;

Figure 1 is a side elevational view partially in section of my burner in one form together with associate parts, the view being diagrammatically only for-the. purpose of illustration,

and Fig. Zis a fragmentary sectional view.

l i thereof tak'en through 2-2 of Fig. 1.

y Like characterszof reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the views of the drawings. A

AMy burner, as illustrated in the drawings, consists essentially of a burner grid 1, a fuel i gas distributing chamber member2, a fan 3, a conductor 4 connectino the fan 3 to the chamber of the distributing chamber member 2, a fuel Vgasifying chamber member 5, a liquid fuel distributing and atomizing nozzle '6, an air conductor 7 connecting the conduc- 60 tor 4 with the nozzle 6, a fuel gas conductor 8 connecting the gasifying chamber member 5 to the conductor 4, ai fuel oil-conductor 9, and spark 'plugs 10 and 11 for igniting, respectively, the gases at the upper and lower ends of the gasifying chamber member 5. p

The burner grid 1 is shown in the drawings as positioned at and forming the lower end of a boilerf12 and for heating the coils orA other medium 12a therein. provided `with a multiplicity of orifices la through which is adapted to pass the fuel gas from the distributing chamber member 2 which is positioned at the lower side of and forms a part of the grid 1. To one side of v1li the chamber member 2 is connected the one end of a mixin venturi 13 which forms a part and a contmuation of the air conductor 4 extending from the fan 3. The fan 3 may be of any desired form but is adapted to produce a specific amount of air at specific static pressure for the ignition of and efficient burnvingpf low rade fuels.

he gasi ying chamber member 5 ma be a tubular member of relatively large d1am- 85 eter positioned at one side of the boiler 12 and extending upwardly from a burnery grid, which in this instance is a lateral extension of the burner grid 1. The gasifying chamber member 5 is provided with a diametric con- 90 striction 14 which forms a reduced opening for the passage of the gasesof combustion from the lower end of the chamber member 5 end. The portion of the nozzle @extending m0 The grid 1 is 1o beyond the upper end of the member 5 `is preferably enlarged and is connected with this enlarged portion by the conductor 7 with the air conductor 4 between the venturi 13 and the fan 3. Into the nozzle Gland preferably centrally therein extends the discharge -mal diameter of the fuel oil conductor so as to minimize clogging of the fuel line to a minimum. l

The vaporized or gasiiied fuel within the chamber 5a is conducted from the upper end of such chamber through the conductor 8 which communicates at its opposite or lower end with and at the constricted portion of the venturi 13. The connection of the conductor 8 with the venturi maybe made by conducting the gases from the conductor 8 into an annular channel 16 surrounding the outerportion of the venturi at the constricted portion and then conducting the gases from the annular channel by a plurality of angular orifices 16a into gthe venturi immediately beyond the portion of the greatest speed of gases flowing therethrough. I

The atomized or disassociated fuel within the chamber 5a is ignited by the spark plug lO extending through the side wall thereof and connected with a suitable ignition coil 17. The gases at the lower end of the gasifying chambermember 5 are ignited by.. the spark plug 11 alsol connected with the'ignition coil. The main burner or heating portion of the burner directly at the lower end of the boiler is ignited by the burning gases at the lower end 5b of the chamber member 5, the iame passing from the chamber 5b through 'a lighter port 5o connecting the interior of the boiler receptacle with the chamber 5b. t

The operation of my burner is as follows:

When the air pressure source or fan 3 is operated, air under pressure is forced through the conductor 7 to the fuel oil distributing and atomizingfnozzle 6 into which a small amount of fuel oil from the fuel line 9 is introduced by gravity or other means, resulting in suiiicient atomization rof the fuel oil as to be ignited by the spark plug 10,-

which atomized fuel burns initially with a yellow flame'in the gasifying chamber 5a.

' As lother air fis forced through the venturi l, a vacuum is createdin the conductor 8 causing excess air tobe drawn through the burner grid into the chamber band the constrictedopening14;` ,The atomized fuel in g the chamber burns with a'yellow flame only long enough to raise the temperature-within the chamber 5a to the required degree for uid fuel. The fullamount of liquid fuel is then introduced through the fuel line 9 causing gasifying of such fuel and smothering of the yellow flame in the chamber 5a. This gasified fuel from the chamber 5a is carried, by the partial vacuum created in the conductor 8, through said conductor into the venturi 13 in which the gasified fuel is mixed with the proper amount of air, without excess of air. Such mixed gases in a highly combustible state and which forms the fuel gas, are conducted to the distributing chamber which supplies the burner grid. The gas passing through the grid is ignited by the spark plug 11 in the chamber 5b, the fla-me being carried through the lighter port 5c for lighting the main fire of the grid. The continuation of the gasi 'ying of the liquid fuel Within the chamber 5 is accomplished by a portion of the hot gases of combustion from the burner grid, namely, that -portion entering directly the chamber 5b and drawn through the opening 14. It will be noted that the flow of the hot gasifying gases through the opening 14 is in the opposite direction or in a direct counter-flow to the liquid fuel and air under pressure introduced at the opposite end of the chamber 5w, thus causing the fuel, partially broken up and disassociated at the nozzle Gand distributed within the chamber 5a, to be gasifed in an eiiicient manner while in suspension Within the chamber 5a. Thus the elements of the fuel are carried away as rapidly as they are disassociated and gasiiied and are simultaneously mixed with a certain ,amount of the product of combustion, thereby `causing a change in the chemical formula of the fue'l resulting in an efficient fuel gas and whereby the deposition of free carbon or soot in any part of the burner is eliminated, or at least reduced to a minimum.

The atomizing and fuel distributing nozzle 6 is so designed as to require only very slight air pressure forl performing its designated function.

It will be here noted that although I have \-confined the description of my apparatus to one using fuel oil and particularly a low grade fuel oil, the various and principal features of my present invention are applicable to burners using other fuel such as` atomized coal and the like, or gases, and by defining the conductor 9 as a fuel conductor, I include generally any means for conveying fuel to the chamber 5a.

Though I have shown and described a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions and a specific application of my burner to a boiler or amoreor less specific boiler, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction,

kombination and arrangement, no r to the particular application of my4 burner, but desire to include inthe scope of my invention,

"gasifying, the atomizedor disassociated liqthe construction, combination and arrangeed to receive gases of combustion therefrom and also communicating with' and adapted to receive air from said air pressuresource, 'a fuel conductor connecting with the cham.- ber of the chamber member, and a gasied fuel. conductor communicating with the chamber of the chamber member and with the air pressure source. k

2. In a burner ofthe class described', a burner means, an air. pressure source com- 0 municating therewith, a gasifying chamber member eommunicatin with and adaptf ed to receive gases 'of com ustion therefrom and also commumcating wlth' and adapted to receive air from said pressure source', a fuel 5 conductor connecting with the chamber of the chamber member, a .gasified fuel conductor communicating with the chamber `of the chamber membergand with the airpressure source, and spark plugs adapted to ignite gases within the gasifying chamber and the gases from theburner means.

3. In a burner of the class described, a burner means, a gasifying chamber member adapted to receive gases of combustion from the burner means, an air pressure conductor \communicating withl said gasifying chamber,a fuel conductor communicating with said gasifying chamber in association with said air pressure conductor, andAa gasified fuel conductor wcommunicating with the .chamber of the chamber member and with the burner means.

4. In aburner of the class described, a burner means, an air pressure source com- 5 municating therewith,y a gasifying chamber member communicating with and adapted to -receive gases of combustion therefrom andv also communicating with and adapted to Y receive air from said air'` pressure source, a fuel conductor cnnecting with the chamber of the chamber member, and a gasiied fuel conductor communicating withy the chamber A-of the chamber member and with the airpressure source, the low of the gases of combustion from the burner means into said chamber beingopposed to the flow of air and liquid l fuely therein. 'l y f5. In a burner ofthe .class described,` a burner means, a gasifying chamber member q adapted to receive gases of' combustion from the burner meansan airpressure conductor --f'communicating withsaid gasi ing chamber,

I a fuel kconductor communicatlng with said 'gasifying chamber, a fuel conductor communicating with said gasifying chamber in "combustion from association with said air pressure conductor, and a gasified fuel conductor communicating with the chamber of the chamber'member and with the burner means, the flow of` the gases of combustion from the burner means into said chamber being opposed to the flow of air and liquid fuel therein.

6. In a burner of the class described, a gasifying chamber, means for supplying a current of hot gases of combustion to one end of the chamber, and a sourceof non-'gaseous fuel communicating with the opposite endof the chamber, said fuel from lthe latter source be- `ing directed centrally toward and into immediate contact with'the gases of the current of hot burned' gases of combustion' from the i former source and in thereto. y.

7. In a burner of the class described, a gasifyi-ng chamber, means for supplying 'a current of hot gases of vcombustion to one end opposed direction of th chamber, a sourceof non-gaseous fuel communicating with the opposite end of the chamber, and an air conductor communicating with said chamber at the connection therewith of said non-gaseous fuel source, the air from the air conductor being adapted to distribute the fuel from the fuel source'into the chamber and into the current of hot gases of the opposite end .ofthe chamber. U I

`8. In a burner of the class described, a

gasifying chamber, means for` supplying a current of hot gases of combustion to one end ofthe chamber, a source of non-gaseous fuel communicating with the opposite end of the chamber, land, an air conductor communicating with said chamber at the connection therewith ofl said non-gaseous fuel source, the air from the air conductor being adapted to distribute the fuel from thefuel source into the chamber and into the current of hot the chamber, the direction of oW ofthe air andthe liquid fuel being opposedto the direction of flow of the hot gases of combustion within the chamber. y

b'9S/In a burner of the class described, a

. gasifying chamber member having therein ad fuel gasifying chamber, an air nozzle directedthereinto from one end, a fuel nozzle positioned Within the air nozzle and extending in the same direction therewith, thebfair` a fuel gasifying chamber, an air nozzle directed thereinto from one side, a fuel nozzle gases of combustion from the caposite end of positioned within -the air nozzle and eXtend-A l,

ing in the same direction therewith, the air from the air nozzle being adapted to atomize and distribute the liquid fuel from the `fuel conductor within the gasifying chamber, and means for directing hot gases of combustion into the gasifying chamber for gasifying the distributed atomized liquid fuel, the direction of flow of the air in the liquid fuel from their respective nozzles "being directly opposed to the general flow of the hot gases of combustion within the gasifying chamber. l

11. In a burner of the class described,.a b'urner means, a gasifying chamber member having intermediate its ends a constricted portion dividing the chamber member into two chambers connected by a constricted opening, I one chamber positioned over the burner means and adapted to receive burned gases of.` combustion therefrom, a liquid fuel conductorI directed into the other chamber and into the current of gases of combustion flowing through said constricted opening, and a fuel gas conductor connected with the latter chanber and through whichthe gasified fuel from the latter chamber is adapted to flow. A

12. In a burner of the class described, a'l

burner means, a gasifying chamber member having intermediate its ends a constricted portlon d1v1d1ng the chamber member into 'two chambers connectedby a constricted opening, one chamber positioned over the burner means and adapted to receive burned gases of combustion-therefrom, a liquid fuel conductor directed into the other'chamber and into the current of gases of combustion flrwing through said constricted opening, and a fuel gas conductor connected with the latter chamber and through. which the gasilied fuel from the latter chamber is-ada'pted to flow, the latter conductor communicating with said burner means.

13. In a burner of the class described` a burner means, a gasifying chamber member having intermediate its ends a constricted portion dividing the chambenmember into two chambers connected by a constricted opening, one chamber positionedl over the burner means and adapted to receive burned gases of combustion therefrom, a -liquid fuel conductor directed into the otherchamber and into the current of gases of .combustion Howing through said constrictedI opening, a

-fuel gas conductor connected, withthe latter chamber and through which the gasifled` fuel from the latter chamber is adapted Yto flow, fthe latter conductor communicating with said burner-means, andan air pressure source municating with theburner means and adapt?A edto mix the gases .from the latter conductor with air and to dra-wthe gases from the latter conductor. y l

, 14. In avburner of .the vclass described, a burnermeansLa gasifying' chamber -member having intermediate its ends a constricted said burner means, and an air pressure source communicating with the burner means and adapted to mix the ases from the latter con'- ductor with air-an to draw thegases from the latter conductor, said air pressure source communicating also with the latter chamber for atomizing and distributing the liquid fuel from the liquid fuel conductor.

15. In a burner of the class described, a burner means having a fuel gas distributing chamber at its inner side, a unitary air pressure source, a unitary lconductor connecting said air pressure source with said fuel gas distributing chamber and lprovided therein with a venturi, a gasifying chamber member havinga gasifying chamber communicating withsaid burner means and adapted to receive hot gases of combustion therefrom, a

fuel conductor extending into'said gasifying chamber, and a gasified fuel conductor extending from said gasifying chamber to the air conductor and communicating therewith at the venturi therein for drawing the gasified fuel from the gasifying chamber through said gasified fuelconductor and for mixing the gases therefrom with air from said airl`v pressure source.

-said gasifying chamber to the air conductor and communicating therewith at the venturi therein for drawing the gasified fuel from the gasifying chamber through said` gasified fuel conductor and for mixing the gases therefrom with air`from said air presf sure source, vanda second air conductor con- "nectedwith the first air conductor between the air pressure source and the venturi and directed into said gasifying chamber around the fuel oil conductor.

17. In a burner of the class described, a

burner grid having an extended portion and a fuel supply communicating'with one 'side of 130 the burner grid, a gasifying chamber member positioned over the 'extended portion of the burner grid, said chamber member having therein a chamber immediately adjacent the extended portion of the burner' grid and provided in its side with a lighting port, a spark l plug extending into said chamber adapted to ignite ythe 'fuel gases received therein from the extendedportion of the burner grid, and "adapted indirectlyto light the fuel gases, from the main portion of the burner grid, through said lighting port.

18. In a burner of the class described, a burner grid having an extended portion and having a fuel gas distributing chamber at its inner side for supplying simultaneously the main and the vextended portion ofthe burner grid with fuel gas,- a gasifying chamber .member positioned over the extended portion of the burner grid and provided in its side with a lighting port, said chamber member having therein a chamber immediately adjacent the extended portion of the burner grid, a spark plug extending into said chamber adapted to ignite the fuel gases therein and adapted indirectly to lightthe fuelga'ses from the main portion of the burner grid through said lighting port, said gasifying chamber` member having at its outer end a gasifying chamber communicating ,with the first mentioned chamber in the gasifying chamber member, a gasiied fuel conduct-or extending from said gasifying chamber for drawing gasified fuel therefrom, and means for drawin the gasifiedfuel from the latter conductor, or mixing the gases therefrom with air and for forcmgthe resulting fuel gas into said fuel gas distributing-chamber and through said grid.

19. In a burner of the class-described, a chamber member having a' mixing chamber therein, a burner means forming a source of hot gases of combustion, said burner means communicatin with' one end of the mixing 45 chamber for directing gases of combustion into the mixingchamber, a main source of fuel directed into said mixing chamber from the opposite end in directly opposed relationg to the direction of flow of the gases of comadapted to ignite lthe fuel gases received therein from the extended portion of the burner grid and adapted indirectly to light the fuel gases from the main portionof the burner grid-through said lighting port, a non-gaseous fuel supply directed into and in direct contact with hot gases of combustion in said gasifying chamber, and a conductor extending from the gasifying chamber to the-inlet end of the gas distributin halmber for supplying the burner grid witg 21.` In a burner of the class described, a chamber member having a mixing chamber therein, a burner means forming a source of hot gases of combustion, said burner means communicating with one end of the mixing chamber for directin gases of combustion -into the mixing; cham er, and a main source of fuel directed into said mixing chamber from the opposite end in directly opposed relation to the direction of How of thegases of combustionand in direct contact therewith for vaporizing the fuel.`

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Columbus, Ohio, this 9th day of November, 1928.

RUSSELL R. WATERMAN.

^ bustion, and in direct contact .therewith for v vaporizing the same, and means for conduct- 1ng a portion of the resulting yvaporized lfuel to the burner means. 20."In a burner of the class described, a 5e `burner grid'having an extended portion and having a fuel gas distributing chamber at itsinn'er. side for supplying simultaneously the main arrd the extended portion of the burner grid with fuel gas, agasifying cham- @Wberpositioned over the extendedl portion of 'the burner grid, said chamber member having therein a.4 chamber immediately adjacent the extended 'portion' of the burner grid andf provided in its sidewith a lightingport, a spark plug rextending into said chamber 

